By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 08:40, Tuesday, 15 January 2013

A group which encourages green projects across the Eden area is celebrating after securing a £65,000 grant.

Nurture Eden has been given the money for its Destination Eden project which aims to create new tourist trails, launch campaigns and create mobile apps.

As part of the work, the Fresh Air Is Free campaign – which has been running in the Lake District over the last year to encourage people to get around without cars – will be rolled out into Eden.

So far, 58 businesses in the Eden area have signed up to Nurture Eden, which aims to promote green projects. It was given the money by the Rural Development Programme for England.

The organisation has launched a new cycle event – the Eden Valley Epic – which takes place for the first time this March. The 60-mile route starts from Penrith Leisure Centre and heads south towards Orton village before looping to Appleby then through Dufton, Milburn and Langwathby. Entrants are asked to make a £2 donation to Nurture Eden’s Visit, Give, Protect scheme. So far, 481 riders have entered.

Nurture Eden project manager, Chris Little, said they were ‘thrilled’ with the £65,000 funding.

“It enables us to achieve our product development goals within Eden and support the work we have already conducted to date,” he said..

“We believe there is no better time to become involved with Nurture Eden than right now and hope that we can encourage more local tourism and food businesses to become members and help us grow Eden business and look after its environment.”

He thanked Solway Borders and the Rural Development programme for England for supporting them.

Mr Little said: “The aim is to give visitors quality experiences while undertaking low carbon activities, ensuring that they stay in the area longer, spend money with local businesses and contribute strongly to the local visitor economy.”

Tourism chiefs say the grant will help “significant investment in tourism development’, drive the local economy and create new business opportunities for accommodation providers, attractions and food suppliers.

For more information on Nurture Eden or the Eden Valley Epic, see www.nurturelakeland.org and the Nurture Eden link.

First published at 08:38, Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk